European U-19 Championship Finals: Villa call-ups

[Legion]

Congratulations to Nathan Baker and Nathan Delfouneso.

From Pravda:

Nathan Delfouneso and Nathan Baker have been named in England's squad for the European Under-19 Championship Finals in France.

The Villa duo are in the 18-man party to head to the championships, as they look to go one further than last year when they were beaten by hosts Ukraine in the final.

Delfouneso, the Golden Boot winner at the 2009 tournament, is the most experienced member of the Young Lions squad, having scored nine goals from 21 appearances at under-19 level.

The striker's call-up comes on the back of an impressive 2009-10 campaign, which saw him score his first Premier League goal for Villa as well as netting on his England under-21 debut against Greece in March.

Defender Baker, who has six caps at under-19 level, has been part of the club's highly successful reserve team over the past couple of seasons and spent much of last term gaining valuable first team experience on loan at Lincoln City.

England will kick off their Group A campaign against Austria in Flers on Sunday July 18, before taking on Netherlands and France.

The top two nations from each group will progress to the semi-finals on Tuesday July 27, with the final in Caen on Friday July 30.

Group B will be made up of Spain, Portugal, Italy and Croatia.

The top six teams in the competition will also go on to be Europe's representatives at next year's FIFA U20 World Cup in Columbia.

Other players included in the England squad are Tottenham's John Bostock, Tom Cruise of Arsenal and West Ham youngster Frank Nouble.

[supertom]

Lets see if the young lions can do us proud.

[villajk]

I heard on the news this morning that Villa were one of the clubs which weren't going to allow any Under-19's in this competition.

Glad to see we are.

[supertom]

My only worry is that last year, because Fonzie was not here pre-season, it took a while for him to work his way back into the managers plans. He didn't really have the chance to shine in the Peace Cup and push his way into Martin's thoughts more predominently.

I really hope Fonz gets given more game time this season. He's gonna be quality. Above all he's a young English forward with some technical ability and eye for a finish.

[spangley1812]

Seems like a good idea to me......give the lads some competitive games they should come back ready to start the season flying but with MON's use of his squad/only picking his favourites the Fonz may see all his efforts wasted

[march]

which numbskull in Fifa scheduled this at the time of pre season. Pre season for Nathan D this season is vital for his progress to the first team and not an under 18 team playing slow slow football

[Linus]

Andreas Weimann's going, too, for Austria

[SoccerHQ]

Is Ciaran Clark too old for this tournament then?

Think it's quite a good thing they're going as they'd only be playing friendlies.

If Fonz is top scorer for example in this tournament, he'll come back full of confidence which should benefit him and us.

[Matt Collins]

and Albrighton did get a chance in the peace cup, was probably our best player, but still barely got a chance (admittedly, he didn't look ready when given a chance in the prem)

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

Would rather see Delfouneso start pre-season with us and giving Gabby a run for his money to start against West Ham.

[Legion]

and Albrighton did get a chance in the peace cup, was probably our best player, but still barely got a chance (admittedly, he didn't look ready when given a chance in the prem)

He looked like a rabbit caught in headlights on his Prem debut but he impressed in the game in which he got injured.

[SoccerHQ]

Albrighton should've gone out on loan in the early part of last season when he wasn't even getting into the 18.

[supertom]

Yes, Albrighton did make it to the bench early on last season, but as said, he didn't look ready. He came on opening day didn't he? In the Wigan debacle. He quickly ended back in the reserves, and didn't appear till mid season I recall.

Fonzie though didn't really get his chance till the season was well under way. I'd have expected him to play earlier than he did. In part an early Euro exit was a factor of course. But Martin said as much last season, that he was not entirely happy about Fonzie playing in the championships because of missing pre-season.

[The Man With A Stick]

and Albrighton did get a chance in the peace cup, was probably our best player, but still barely got a chance (admittedly, he didn't look ready when given a chance in the prem)

He looked like a rabbit caught in headlights on his Prem debut but he impressed in the game in which he got injured.

Brighton wasn't it?  He looked really good in the short while he was on the pitch.

[VillaZogmariner]

Tom Cruise of Arsenal. I've heard he's a bit of a Maverick. I wonder if he'll become a Top Gunner?